§ 21. Captain WATERHOUSEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a part of the waters of the Artass springs has been commandeered by the Government for the service of Jerusalem; and under what Ordinance the Government took powers for this action?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first part of the qustion is in the affirmative; the action taken received my approval. The Ordinance under which the Palestine Government took powers for this action was the Artass Springs Ordinance, 1925.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEIs it not the fact that, in order to get this water, the villagers of Artass have been compelled to go without water for their own gardens, and is not that a great hardship?
§ Mr. AMERYI understand that a sufficient amount of water is allowed for the most necessary purposes, and that compensation is given in so far as they have not enough for certain of their crops.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEHas there not been an appeal to the High Court on this question?
§ Mr. HARDIEDoes not the Minister's suggestion as to compensation prove in itself that water is being taken from these people which they require?
§ Mr. AMERYCertainly, but the urgent position of the City of Jerusalem in regard to the need for water made it necessary to take some water from this neighbouring village supply, and, in so far as any hardship is caused, to compensate the villagers.
§ Mr. HARDIEHow is it possible to compensate a man who is growing his own food if you take away his water?
§ Mr. AMERYThere is no question of taking away water that is necessary for their sustenance, but in so far as their crops may suffer financial damage by the loss of the water they will be compensated.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEWho is going to assess this damage, and how can it be assessed?